Did you know that there are precious metals such as gold lying around in waste? Yes, there is. I must warn you, how-ever, that if you are dreaming of getting rich by finding and selling this gold, you are going to be disappointed. As the saying goes, 'All that glitters is not gold'.

So where is the precious metal in the waste? Take a walk around your house, office or yard. How many unused cellphones do you have lying around your house or business? What about old computers, calculators, refrigerators, television sets, medical equipment, copiers, printers and other electronic equipment? Like many people, you may have at least one of these items sitting in a room in your house, or lying unused around your office or yard.

Precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, palladium, iridium and ruthenium are present in these electronic waste, in varying quantities. We all know that gold, silver and platinum are used for jewellery. They are also useful for electronic waste because they absorb and pass on heat, and are able to be bent into any desirable shape. Metals like platinum, palladium, iridium and ruthenium are used in electronics because of their hardness and resistance to rust and high temperatures.

Now here's the catch. These metals are present in such small quantities that you would need a significant number of electronic equipment to get enough precious metals of commercial value. Additionally, removing these metals without the proper tools and equipment, and under improper conditions, can be hazardous and dangerous to the individual's health and the environment. Persons can seriously damage their health by dismantling electronic equipment such as televisions and computers. There is also the possibility of causing severe damage to the environment.

So even though there's gold and other precious metals lying around in our electronic waste, it's not a good idea to try to get it out and sell it as cash for gold. There are recycling businesses that focus specifically on electronic waste. The process, done properly, is, however, an expensive one with much capital equipment required. In some areas of Asia and Africa, electronic waste recycling is being done in conditions which are harmful to both the individuals and the environment, as the required investment to safely recycle electronic waste has not been made. Let's do it the right way and connect with responsible recyclers who will partner with us to preserve our health and the environment.

Ann Marie Rodriques

PeaceWater Services

Send questions or comments to peacewaterservices@yahoo.com